In 2011, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law amendment was approved and a socio-economic assessment formally became an integrated part of EIA in Lithuania. Therefore, this study examines a socio-economic assessment in the environmental impact statements (EIS) and the perceptions of the EIA experts towards a socio economic assessment. Although formally a socio-economic assessment has been validated only recently, 30% of specialists claimed having conducted a socio-economic assessment in detail prior to the amendments to the law. Thus, the EIS analysis has shown a rather poor consideration of these issues as mainly creation of work places was addressed. The survey has shown that preparation of the EIA documents after the formalisation of a socio-economic assessment would change mainly nominally. The EIA experts working in the private sector were more optimistic than those from state institutions. Reluctance of changes and personal attitudes have to be addressed, especially those particular to the experts of state institutions. In addition, methodological guidance, integrative approach and public involvement into the decision-making process could change the current situation and increase the effectiveness of the EIA process and the social impact assessment in general.

2011年，环境影响评估（EIA）法修正案获得批准，社会经济评估正式成为立陶宛EIA的组成部分。因此，本研究考察了环境影响报告（EIS）中的社会经济评估以及EIA专家对社会经济评估的看法。尽管正式的社会经济评估是在最近才通过的，但仍有30％的专家声称在修改法律之前已经进行了详细的社会经济评估。因此，EIS分析已显示出对这些问题的考虑不充分，因为主要解决了工作场所的创建问题。调查显示，在正式进行社会经济评估之后，环境影响评估文件的准备工作将在名义上发生重大变化。在私营部门工作的环境影响评估专家比国家机构的专家更为乐观。变革和个人态度的勉强必须得到解决，尤其是对国家机构的专家而言。此外，方法指导，综合方法和公众参与决策过程可改变现状，并提高环境影响评估过程和总体社会影响评估的有效性。